A prominent Nigerian traditional leader, the Emir of Daura, Umar Farouk Umar, has publicly endorsed President Bola Tinubu’s potential reelection bid during a high-profile condolence visit led by First Lady Remi Tinubu. The gesture, marked by chants of “Tinubu, Tinubu, Tinubu in 2027,” took place as the president’s wife visited the family of the late former Nigerian leader Muhammadu Buhari and the Daura Emirate in Katsina State over the weekend.
Accompanied by a delegation including Vice President’s wife Hajiya Nana Shettima, parliamentary leaders’ spouses, state governors’ wives, and other senior officials, Mrs. Tinubu expressed solidarity with Buhari’s family and the Daura community. The emir, a nonagenarian monarch, praised the First Lady’s visit as a symbol of unity and thanked President Tinubu for his “relentless support” to the late president and the region. He emphasized the gesture transcended politics, calling it a reflection of shared grief and national cohesion. “This support is not just about leadership; it is about standing together in difficult times,” he said.
In a striking moment, the emir initiated a call-and-response chant urging the delegation to repeat the phrase backing Tinubu’s 2027 political prospects. Analysts suggest the endorsement highlights Tinubu’s efforts to consolidate alliances in northern Nigeria, a region historically pivotal in the nation’s elections.
Earlier, Mrs. Tinubu eulogized Buhari as a figure of “integrity, discipline, and devotion,” noting his dual legacy as a military leader and civilian president. She described the visit as personal, emphasizing her husband’s decades-long bond with Buhari. “We didn’t come out of duty alone but because my husband lost a friend and ally,” she stated, adding prayers for the late leader’s “eternal rest.” The trip underscored the enduring political and personal ties between Nigeria’s current and former leaders, while spotlighting the symbolic role of traditional institutions in the country’s governance.
The event drew attention to the intersection of culture, condolence, and politics, with the emir’s remarks framing Tinubu’s outreach as both a gesture of empathy and a strategic alignment. Observers note such endorsements could shape voter sentiment ahead of the next electoral cycle, particularly in regions where monarchs retain significant influence.
